Jimmy Goins, 2015. Photo from Facebook

The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is mourning the loss of former chairman Jimmy Goins, who died on Sunday at the age of 66.

Goins was killed in a single car accident in Robeson County, the cause of which remains unknown. He had led the tribe from 2004 to 2010 and was a strong advocate for federal recognition.

"This comes as real shock for the county and for the tribe. He loved his people," Chairman Paul Brooks said in a press release. "This is truly a sad day for the Lumbee Tribe.”

Goins was rumored to be mulling another run for chairman this year, The Robesonian reported.

Get the Story:
Accident kills former tribal chairman (The Robesonian 6/8)
Former Lumbee Tribal Chairman Jimmy Goins killed in car accident (The Fayetteville Observer 6/8)
(The Fayetteville Observer 6/8)
LUMBEE TRIBE MOURNS THE DEATH OF FORMER TRIBAL CHAIRMAN JIMMY GOINS; KILLED IN CAR ACCIDENT (Native News Online 6/8)
Former Tribal Chairman killed in NC crash (WXII 6/8)
Former Lumbee Tribal Chairman Jimmy Goins killed in car accident (WRAL 6/7)